Following on from the longlist announcement of the 2016/17 GBP Short Story Prize, we asked each of the thirteen writers three questions about themselves, their story, and their inspirations. Here's Hilary Dean, whose longlisted short story Resurrection is available to read as a digital single. You'll also find a short biography of Hilary after her answers. 

 

 

I started writing when I was seven, inspired by my second grade teacher who encouraged me and introduced us to Roald Dahl’s books. I’m currently writing a novel about a tumultuous friendship forged on a psych ward and I’ve managed to publish seven excerpts so far – now including Resurrection, thanks to Galley Beggar Press. 

 

 

I really was in a super-ambitious Jesus play in school, and I really did play Mary Magdalene when I was thirteen. For this story, I stole elements of my old friends and the fun group of kids I grew up with and fused it with the larger themes of my novel – depression, recovery, and hope. 

   

 

Ayelet Tsabari, Junot Diaz, and Jhumpa Lahiri. They’re completely unique and original, but what they have in common, I think, is beautiful, juicy writing that fills your heart with love and then suddenly slices it open and messes you up, and you have to remind yourself that it’s only fiction, you should stop crying now. And maybe read something else next time you’re on a public bus.